The translucent quality of vellum paper has made it a tool for draftsman, artists, architects, and engineers for years. For craft purposes, it's important to consider the weight of the vellum paper that you are going to use. The higher the number associated with the vellum, the heavier the paper and thus the less you can see through it. Drafting vellum is #17 and is quite transparent.
A rainbow of colors and weights of vellum papers have become available to consumers. These "craft vellums" are available at most craft and scrapbooking stores, and are widely used in making home-made cards, scrapbooks, and announcements.
Vellum paper is available in over 45 basic colors with variations available in metallic, speckled, pastels, neon bright, pinstripe, marbled, and embossed papers. This fine paper is a perfect overlay for photographs and clipart, making the pictures appear frosted and providing an acid-free layer of protection in the process.
Vellum can be used as a border or a background piece for layering elements on your birth announcement, and it will easily accept glitter, stamping, stickers, inkjet printing, and handwriting. Care must be used when gluing it, though, as traditional glues will show through and should be avoided in favor of photo mounting spray.
While many companies offer commercially produced birth announcements that use vellum in their designs, a fun and highly personal alternative to purchasing birth announcements is crafting your own.
Before getting started on your project, answer these questions.
- What colors do you want incorporated into your vellum birth announcement?
- Is your announcement going to be used to announce the birth of a boy or a girl?
- Is there a theme that you will be using that would be enhanced by use of a specific color?
- What size do you want your announcement to be? Are there envelopes available for this size of announcement that don't require extra postage?
- How will you use the vellum in the construction of your birth announcement?
- What weight of vellum paper do you want to use?
- What (if any) accents like dried flowers, ribbon, and other embellishments are you planning to use with your vellum paper?
- Will you be using an embossed or specialty vellum paper?
- How simple or intricate do you wish your vellum birth announcement to be to assemble?
Supplies will include:
- Photo mounting spray
- Vellum papers
- Cardstock
- Mailing envelopes
- Clipart images
- Digital photos
- Ruler
- Straight edge paper cutter
- Scissors: regular and craft edge
- Ink pens
- Embellishments: ribbon, etc...
- Paper weight and placement within your design
- Color scheme and accents
- Texture of finished announcement
If you are afraid to jump in without a bit more direction, several online sites offer assistance in how to construct your announcements with easy, step-by-step instructions. There are also craft books that you can check out from the library, and people at local craft stores who are eager to assist you in gathering the basic supplies and helping you with your design and layout.
Friends and family who receive the wonderful news of your child's birth on a handcrafted vellum birth announcement will treasure both the message and sender, and have a lovely keepsake by which to remember both.